Form analysis and tips for the Group 1 Railway Stakes on Saturday
Here is our assessment of each of the runners in the $1.5 million Railway Stakes and our tips for the Group 1 feature on Saturday.
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The $1.5 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) has drawn together an competitive line-up at Ascot in Perth on Saturday and here is our assessment of the form of each of the runners.
Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.
1 – TUVALU
Brings top Group 1 weight-for-age form from the Melbourne spring carnival to the table. One of only two Group 1 winners in the race and should be at his absolute peak having his fifth run of the campaign. Drawn to get a gun run and has the services of the inform Jamie Kah.
VERDICT: Genuine contender.
Prowess too strong in the Crystal Mile. 💪
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 28, 2023
It's that man again, Mark Zahra. pic.twitter.com/WdC8AVqrwf
2 – MAROCCHINO
On-speed galloper that had his chances dented when drawing out in barrier 14. Chalked up a solid win two starts back in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) when giving Alsephina 7kg and a beating but then folded up last time under weight-for-age conditions in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m).
VERDICT: Query at the trip in a high pressure mile.
Bold and brave …
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 4, 2023
Tremendous front running display from Marocchino pays off as the 7YO captures his 6th stakes victory in the Group 3 Hosemasters Asian Beau Stakes over 1400m at Ascot.
A black type winner at his last 3 campaigns – including last year’s Group 2 Ted Van Heemst –… pic.twitter.com/bFNdic99ls
3 – COMFORT ME
Been solid, finishing third in both runs this preparation in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) and the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m). Is an on-speed performer so barrier 18 has done him no favours. Has a win and two seconds in four 1600m starts.
VERDICT: Barrier hurts.
4 – DOM TO SHOOT
Resumed from a spell in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) and worked right to the line when finishing second. Drops back to 1kg above the limit here, has excellent 1600m stats at Ascot and is a two time second-up winner from six attempts. Will just need a bit of luck to get a position from barrier 12.
VERDICT: Should be around the mark with luck in running.
The Valour of old …
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 11, 2023
An incredible 9th stakes victory for Valour Road as the 8YO has too much firepower for rivals in the Group 2 White Claw Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m at Ascot.
By the Group 1 winning Giant’s Causeway stallion, Frost Giant, Valour Road was sold by… pic.twitter.com/XGrvXa9Hif
5 – ROOTS
Sydney raider from the powerhouse Chris Waller stable. Comes into this having her fourth run of the preparation so she should be at the peak of her powers and is a last start winner of the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m). Twice a winner at 1600m from seven tries and has a tricky barrier of 15 to overcome.
VERDICT: She shouldn’t be the favourite.
It's all Roots in the Hot Danish! 🔥@cwallerracing@TommyBerry21pic.twitter.com/1qVpEf7KkJ
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) November 11, 2023
He won this race last year but in three subsequent starts he hasn’t been close to troubling the scorer. This is his third run of the campaign and he steps back up to the 1600m for the first time since last year’s Railway win and he is undefeated in two starts at the trip.
VERDICT: Needs to lift to figure.
A 3-time stakes winner earlier this year, Trix of the Trade wins first Group 1 in @FurphyBeer Railway S. at Ascot. Trix of the Trade is raced by breeders Bill & Patricia Robinson & 1st winner at elite level for trainer Colin Webster. Trix of the Trade has now nearly $1.3m in stks pic.twitter.com/xVaWfto0UP
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 19, 2022
7 – ALSEPHINA
One of the leading local chances, this five-year-old mare has won seven and finished second three times in her past 10 starts. Arrives here third-up off second placings in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and the Group 3 R.J Peters Stakes (1500m). She’s three from three at the mile, has Willie Pike in the saddle and drawn ok in barrier 7.
A thriller to the finish but Alsephina makes it a 2nd stakes victory on the trot (9 from 11 overall) in the Group 3 Mrs Macs La Trice Classic over 1800m at Ascot. Alsephina is by @VineryStud’s Star Turn from the Perth stakes winner Delta Gee. pic.twitter.com/1Co1B202cD
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) January 1, 2023
VERDICT: Can win.
8 – BUSTLER
Smart four-year-old that arrives here third-up after two respectable efforts in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) and the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m). Yet to win in two runs over 1600m, the latest a third placing in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes back in May. Drawn to get every chance.
VERDICT: Peaks here with each-way claims.
A 2nd stakes victory for Bustler – and 6th win from 10 starts – as the 3YO by @darlingviewTB Playing God captures the Group 3 @FurphyBeer Belmont Sprint over 1400m.
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) May 13, 2023
Bustler was sold by Ruby Racing & Breeding to Ridgeport Holdings at the 2021 Perth @mmsnippets Yearling Sale for… pic.twitter.com/HKIkKl8Jf7
9 – FORGOT YOU
Victorian raider that heads west after winning the Cup Day Plate (1800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. His form throughout the spring has been solid but barrier 19 doesn’t help his cause.
VERDICT: Doubt he can overcome the barrier.
The Listed Furphy Plate goes to FORGOT YOU in a well-deserved victory for @blake_shinn and @busuttin
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 7, 2023
📽 @10SportAU | #MelbourneCuppic.twitter.com/eS0jZDO9vQ
10 – KARLI’S KARMA
Was heavily backed ($9-$6) in this race last year before finishing down the track. Comes into this with two runs under the belt, the latest a victory in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) five weeks ago. Lightly raced mare yet to win over a mile from three attempts but drawn to get her chance on Saturday.
VERDICT: Hit the line well last time and has claims again.
Blistering finish from Karli’s Karma to capture initial stakes victory in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m at Ascot.
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) October 21, 2023
Multiple stakes placed, Karli’s Karma becomes the 26th stakes winner for Deep Field and was initially sold by @BhimaTBreds to @JazcomTbred for $5,000 at… pic.twitter.com/yxHG4GP9XS
11 – LAST OF THE LINE
Solid effort resuming when third in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) before failing to beat a runner home in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m). Better suited here back to handicap conditions and is a winner over a mile but barrier 13 makes the task that much more tricky.
VERDICT: Others have better claims.
12 – MASSIMO
Veteran galloper that’s been solid in both of his runs this prep in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) and in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m). Finished midfield in this race two years ago and not getting any younger. Barrier 17 is no favour.
VERDICT: He’s going ok but Group 1 level is beyond him.
13 – MOJO RHYTHM
Beat Alsephina last time out in the Group 3 R.J Peters Stakes (1500m) but this time he’s 5kg worse off at the weights. Drawn to get every chance and is a horse that will appreciate stepping up to 1600m.
The first of 5 stakes races at Ascot today, Mojo Rhythm was definitely in tune for the Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes over 1500m.
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 18, 2023
With 6 wins from 20 starts, Mojo Rhythm becomes the 15th stakes winner for @darlingviewTB's Playing God.@PerthRacingpic.twitter.com/MIWgNImImS
VERDICT: Has each-way prospects.
14 – SEARCHIN’ ROC’S
Won the Listed Farney Stakes (1400m) back in September then reproduced again in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) where he struggled. Wasn’t disgraced when finishing midfield in this last year and he’s one horse that will appreciate a strongly run 1600m. Drawn well.
VERDICT: Not hopeless for a roughie.
A 5th stakes victory for Searchin’ Roc’s as the 5YO mare has too much firepower in the Listed @FurphyBeer Farnley Stakes over 1400m at Belmont Park.
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) September 9, 2023
Retained by her breeders, Searchin’ Roc’s is by Gold Front Breeding & Racing’s Fastnet Rock stallion Awesome Rock and takes… pic.twitter.com/Qs99vQktpj
15 – STARTRADE
Has not fired a shot in three runs this preparation. Is a winner at a mile but yet to win at Ascot in nine starts.
VERDICT: Not going well enough.
16 – THE VELVET QUEEN
Was in great form at the start of the year and returned from a spell in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) where she made up good ground late to finish midfield. Has good second-up stats, excellent 1600m and track stats but barrier 16 is no spoil.
VERDICT: Best $21 plus chance in the race.
17e – CASINO SEVENTEEN
Comes here with different formlines having placed in the Listed Northam Cup (1600m) and finished fourth in the Listed Luckygray Stakes (1800m) at his past couple of runs. Drops 5kg into this, drawn to get every chance but he is yet to win in seven 1600m starts.
VERDICT: Place best if he gets a run.
A driving finish from Another Chino has seen the 4YO lock away a third black type victory in the Listed Luckygray Stakes over 1800m at Ascot.
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 11, 2023
With 5 from 11 and over $400k in stakes, Another Chino is by Alwyn Park’s Maschino (6 stakes winners) and closely related to Flemington… pic.twitter.com/sHCc2sbmis
18e – LET’S GALAHVANT
This five-year-old won the Listed Northam Cup (1600m) before another solid effort when third in the Group 3 R.J Peters Stakes (1500m). On speed runner drawn ok.
VERDICT: Not the worst if he gets a run.
He’s a right Galah!
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) October 29, 2023
A 2nd stakes victory (9th win overall) for the 5YO gelding Let’s Galahvant who has captured the Listed XXXX Northam Cup over 1600m.
Taking earnings past the $500k mark, Let’s Galahvant is the sole stakes winner for the Darley bred QTC Cup winner, Galah, and… pic.twitter.com/bdejhY8ASx
19e – RIVER RUBICON
Been finishing behind the placegetters in his past few at Stakes level but he has been finding the line. Unlikely to gain a start but if he does, he’ll appreciate a strongly run 1600m contest.
VERDICT: He shouldn’t be $151.
****
TIPS
1st – TUVALU (No. 1)
2nd – ALSEPHINA (No. 7)
3rd – THE VELVET QUEEN (No. 16)
4th – DOM TO SHOOT (No. 4)
Originally published as Form analysis and tips for the Group 1 Railway Stakes on Saturday
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